Mykel Williams mocked to New Orleans Saints by Joel Klatt

Heading into the season, Mykel Williams was somebody getting talks of going No. 1 overall. Injuries certainly hampered but Williams is still one of the best prospects available in the 2025 NFL Draft. Not many mock drafts have him leaving the top 10 and FOX’s Joel Klatt is no different.

Klatt believes Williams winds up going No. 9 overall to the New Orleans Saints. Kellen Moore is the franchise’s new head coach and despite being an offensive guy, comes from a place where defense was prioritized at the top of the draft. Especially from Georgia as Kirby Smart is on an incredible run in Athens.

“Kellen Moore comes over from Philadelphia, where they just made a living drafting Georgia defensive players,” Klatt said. “Low and behold, here’s Mykel Williams, an EDGE player from Georgia who’s 6-5, 265. Almost identical to Josh Sweat. Even though he dealt with some injuries, when he was healthy, he showed the ability to be dominant. In particular in those two Texas games, four sacks total in those two games.

In the last two drafts, Philadelphia has drafted five defensive stars from Georgia. Ranging from defensive tackles in Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter to linebackers Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith, the lone defensive back is Keele Ringo. All played a massive part in the Eagles recently winning the Super Bowl.

Playing up to the standards of those guys is a pretty high bar. But Williams was brought in to replace them at Georgia and certainly surpassed expectations when healthy. Moore may have a blueprint for turning things around in New Orleans and it all begins with taking Williams.

“That Eagles blueprint of drafting Georgia defenders — look at what ultimately paid off,” Klatt said. “A Super Bowl championship there. Kellen Moore comes down to New Orleans, I think he takes Mykel Williams.”

In 12 games this past year, Williams recorded 21 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, and five sacks. As Klatt mentioned, four of those sacks came against Texas — two in the regular season and two in the SEC Championship game. Williams’ other sack was during the nonconference slate vs. UMass.

New Orleans would be hoping for a little more production. Banking on the potential to eventually come through might be a risk but one many teams are going to be willing to make. Possibly a big name off the board at the edge of the top 10.